[fat00key]

Arizona DCSE has done nothing but do everything in their power to collect money that I can't pay in a lump sum. I am consistently paying the arrears. The have blocked my passport. They have put the child support on my credit report. A bank was willing to loan me the money to clear the child support case, but they insisted that I clear the child support from my credit report first. That isn't going happen. Arizona has never tried to make any kind of agreement with me. They have only done things to ruin my families lives. Right now we are unable to pay our mortgage, car note, and other essential debts. They have our accounts frozen. If I had that kind of money or access, I wouldn't be making payments. Why are they doing this? They have no regards for my current wife and kids. Why do they take actions that worsen your chance to get out of the situation? Is there anyone that I can go to above them for a review of their actions?

[Fr_Chuck]

Let me see, you had children , you had court ordered child support, you were not paying your child support so you got way behind.

They are merely trying to collect the money you owe.

So "THEY" are not doing anything but what they are suppose to do, BLAME the person in the mirror for letting you get behind in the first place and not being responsible for your children.

So you get a second job, and make more payments, your wife gets a second job and helps you out.

Actually I am glad that Arizona is doing this, since dead beat dads need to be accounted for.

So what you are saying is you don't want to pay your child support and take care of your obligations.

[excon]

Hello fat:

I read both your questions. You need an attorney. The Padre is right. You needed an attorney a long time ago. You didn't hire one then, I suppose because you didn't think you could afford it. And, I doubt you'll hire one now because you don't think you can afford it.

I don't know what else to tell you. Is the state bad and wrong for trying to collect? No. Do they give a damn that it hurts your present family?? No. You seem to be surprised about that, and Arizona is especially serious.

Believe me. It could get worse. I spent time in the tents with Sheriff Joe. There were guys in there for not paying, Dude!! Let me say it again - hire a lawyer.

excon

[shygrneyzs]

Is there anywhere you can go, anyone you can talk to, about a review concerning your child support situation? You can go back to court but need an attorney, like Fr. Chuck and excon have stated.

More states should be that aggressive on back child support.

[froggy7]

And another question in my mind: you are still paying on the arrears. Are you current on the _current_ child support? If not, you are going to be paying this for a lot longer. And no, the state doesn't care at all about your current wife and kids. To be quite honest, YOU should have considered how this was going to affect them before getting married and having more kids.

[fat00key]

I agree I need a lawyer. But all they say, is I need money. A large sum of it. And before I had a court order I didn't pay. I was 24 when all this happened. I know a lot more now. I have been paying ever since I got the court order. Somebody didn't read the part where paternity took 7 years to complete, with my full cooperation. Thanks, and I do plan on getting a lawyer, when I find an Arizona one, that doesn't talk to me just as bad as the state does. I have used the referral service on this web site. If one contacts me, I will talk with him about my issue. But getting blood from a turnip, won't happen. Thanks.

[fat00key]

froggy7, I am no longer paying current. My daughter has been emancipated. The mother refuses to make any type of agreement. She wants me to suffer. She is being paid $22,000 above the $31,000 for what? She is getting the money the state calculated which is calculated totally different than most states. For military most states only calculate based on the taxable income and not the allowance. That government choice made since, otherwise you could find a lot of military people not able to live due to child support enforcement tactics. The exact time will be 8 more years at current rate. I had plans to cut that down to 4 years without taking food out of my current kids mouths. And yes, if I would have known my future family would have to pay the price with me, I would not have gotten married. The system is suppose to be for all kids. Not only one. The system is flawd and people that are willing to pay are paying through the nose for the ones who get away with it. Fr_Chuck, you comments are duly noted. I don't feel like explaining exactly how things really went. I got screwed. And when I waste thousands of dollars on a lawyer, it will be one that respects me. I asked for advice and thanks all.

[wendalyn]

It's sad that the system is suppose to be for the kids but generally it doesn't seem that way does it.

I get child support from my youngest's dad when he can afford it. He went to court when he lost his job and the judge wiped 3 years of arrears off his platter. That was $10,000 - I have never forced the child support issue even though its already with the state. I didn't show up to the hearing when he was trying to lower his child support and then clean off the arrears. He pays when he can and that's good enough for me. Minnesota did this by the way and they have never pushed him paying except when he has a job. I don't know how much backpay he owes me now and don't care but that's just me.

The reason the court is probably pushing you for the full amount is probably because the child is emancipated. That means there is no longer a monthly payment. This is only advice for whatever that is worth but if I were you for your sanity - I would consult legal advice from a lawyer - its normally free the first visit - find out your options. I can't see any state making you go broke - Another option take out a loan and pay the lady off and be done with her. Sure it would be a lot maybe but wouldn't it be worth it to have a life again without her.

[excon]

It's sad that the system is suppose to be for the kids but generally it doesn't seem that way does it.

Hello wendalyn:

You blame the system, and then you proceed to tell us that you didn't even attend the hearing, and you haven't protested much at all...

I don't think that's the systems fault.

Look, I'm no spokesman for the system. I hate the "system". I'm an anti-system guy. The system SUCKS!

But, when I NEED the system to do something for ME, as hateful as it is, I USE it - and I use it well.

excon

[wendalyn]

I wasn't talking about myself I work so child support has never concerned me that must as I stated. Majority of the time the system is not in the favor of the father's as the original poster has stated. Its not fair that they put a father in debt when support for the child should go both ways...

[fat00key]

Wendalyn, I understand where you are coming from. I have many lady friends that are single parents. They have been both dad and mom. I was never against paying in my case. Me and the mother weren't together and she wanted me to pay more than I should have been paying based on state law. So I requested a DNA test to establish paternity for the state to give me a fair amount based on my pay. Being military and overseas for 7 years hurt me. I was much younger, and if I had known better, I should have went to Arizona in their faces for the test. I am 40 now, and all this happened 20 years ago. Anyway my hat is off to you. Your kids will never forget who was always there for them.

[live2learn]

k, here's my two cents...

I have spent the last 12 years of my life dealing with issues regarding child support. It has taken me this long to actually say that's it. No matter what my x says or does I will pursue by whatever means necessary to better the lives of my children.

I have allowed him to have an OPTION to pay child support or not to pay child support mainly because I didn't want my children to be the recipient of his angry outbursts. My children are now in their teens, can speak for themselves and can decide whether they see him. I could bore you with a very long and boring story so for the sake of remaining SHORT and SWEET I will leave you with the basics of how my X has spent the last several years AVOIDING paying child support.

1. worked under his girlfriends social security number
2. lied about his earnings to reduce his actual order
3. decided to forget about his agreement not pay for months at a time
4. write checks to my children for their XMAS present and tell them not to cash them until said date, which of course kept getting extended.
5. tell my children I USED the money he paid for myself

I just moved my case from California to Arizona and even though it took over a year to get everything together am very happy with how it's being handled. Thank you Arizona Department of Child Enforcement. You were there when we needed you.

[RichieRich]

Fat00Key,

I do not understand one thing. I am in the military(Navy) myself and feel that you could have avoided all this trouble by going to Military Legal. They would have advised you of your right and responsibilities.

In addition, Legal would have made you pay support to your dependents based on MILPERSMAN (Military Personnel Manual) 1754-030 which lays out the percentages of support due to your dependents based on spouse and the # of kids. This regulation is there in the event a servicemember does not have a civil order for support whether it be alimony or child support. 99% of the time courts will accept this regulation and adjust or leave the payment as is. In some cases service members where paying more than the state calculation!! They would have also made you put the child on the TRICARE (Medical & Dental plan) which in some cases lower your child support because you pay for the health expense.

Also according to that regulation if you where not giving any support the military had grounds to start Non Judicial Punishment proceedings against you or send you to an admin board for hardship separation.

Finally, We get paid extra for our dependents so in the event you where getting the extra allowance... you should have started a Dependent allotment to your child.

I was in the similar situation and I still do not have a court order but to protect myself I went through the military legal system and they put me on the right path. I just make sure that every time we get a pay raise I Raise my support... 3 Dependents 1/3 of my base pay.

I do not mean to smack you down even more... but I see where you could have probably avoided this mess

Navy Chief Navy Pride